Frequently asked questions
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Census questions FAQs
- 1. What questions are asked on the census Household Questionnaire?
- 2. What has determined the choice of questions?
- 3. Who was consulted over the inclusion of census topics?
- 4. What questions from 2001 are no longer being asked?
- 5. What are the new questions?
- 6. Why isn't there a sexual orientation question?
- 7. Why does the marital status question ask about same-sex civil partnerships?
- 8. Why is there a question about national identity?
- 9. Why does census ask about the Scots language?
- 10.Are census questions the same throughout the UK?
Top 1. What questions are asked on the census Household Questionnaire?
The questionnaire asks 13 questions about each household and its accommodation and up to 35 for each member of the household. These include questions about work, education, national identity, ethnic background, language and health. We have listed the questions which appear in the questionnaire and you can get more information and help by clicking on the links.
Top 2. What has determined the choice of questions?
In deciding which topics to cover we consulted widely and took full account of Scottish circumstances. The cases made for specific topics by census users were balanced against the public acceptability of the questions, and whether or not they can be asked in a way that gives reliable information, and alternative methods of collecting information. The final decision on the questions to be included in the 2011 Census in Scotland was made by the Scottish Parliament. For more information on the process of planning the 2011 Census in Scotland take a look through our 2011 timeline.
Top3. Who was consulted over the inclusion of census topics?
Two formal consultations about the 2011 Census topics took place - in autumn 2004 and spring 2007. These were supplemented by less formal consultation, such as census roadshows, meetings and correspondence. To find out who was involved take a look through our 2011 timeline.
Top 4. What questions from 2001 are no longer being asked?
Five questions have been left out as they no longer meet census user needs. These questions are:
- Furnished rented accommodation
- Bath/shower/toilet access
- Lowest floor level of living accommodation
- size of organisation worked for
- religion of upbringing
Top 5. What are the new questions?
The new questions that have been included are:
- national identity
- ability in spoken English
- languages other than English used at home
- long term health conditions
- month/year of arrival into the UK (for people not born in the UK)
Top 6. Why isn't there a sexual orientation question?
A sexual orientation question has not been included in the census because of concerns about individual privacy and the reliability of results that could be obtained. The census is a compulsory survey, usually completed by each householder. Individuals within each household may not want to share details of their sexual orientation with the householder, so the quality of information collected would be limited.
We recognise that equality groups would benefit from sexual orientation statistics which reflect the whole of Scotland. The Scottish Government therefore asks about this in its Scottish Health Survey, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey and it will add a similar question in other household surveys which are conducted by an interviewer, rather than a householder.
Top7. Why does the marital status question ask about same-sex civil partnerships?
Parliament passed legislation on same-sex civil partnerships in 2004 and tick box options have been added in the ‘marital status’ question to reflect these partnerships.
Top8. Why is there a question about national identity?
Asking a question on national identity, along with a question on ethnic group (question 15) allows people to more fully express different aspects of their identity. You can select as many or as few of the tick-boxes as you want, as well as writing in one or more other national identities that aren't listed. The information gathered will also support and inform a better understanding of community cohesion.
We first explored including a national identity question in our 2006 census test in parts of six Scottish council areas.
Top9. Why does the census ask about the Scots language?
In consultation on the content of the 2011 Census questionnaire, information about languages, including the Scots language, was frequently requested.
The Scots language is also one of the UK minority languages covered by Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which was ratified by the UK Government in 2001.
Top10. Are census questions the same throughout the UK?
The vast majority of census questions are the same or similar throughout the UK and have been designed to allow broad comparison between countries within it as well as with other European countries. However, each questionnaire has been tailored to meet each UK country's information needs.
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